Baseball Instruction Book 



GV 867 

F5 
Copy 1 





HANS WAGNER. Shortstop 



Price 25 Cents 



Baseball Instruction Book 

Price 25 Cents 



-BY- 



JAY M. FISHER 

Punxsutawney, Pa. 
Physical Director and Athletic Coach 



AUTHOR OF 

PRACTICAL HINTS ON BASEBALL PRACTICE" 
"HOW NOT TO STRIKE OUT" 
"BASEBALL INSTRUCTION BOOK" 



[Copyright 1916] 



The Spirit Publishing* Company, 

Clearfield, Pa. 



GVe67 




NAPOLEAN LAJOIE 

The man who for twenty years 
has been one of the most formi- 
dable batsmen the baseball world 
has ever known. Like Hans 
Wagner he shows little sign of 
growing old. 




if 




CHRISTOPHER MATHEWSON 
In action. This remarkable 
photograph of Mathewson was 
snapped during one of the world's 
series games in 1911. The tre- 
mendous exertions which a pitch- 
er is obliged to undergo in one of 
these contests is vividly shown in 
this picture, especially in Matty's 
face. The whole object is to 
hrow the right shoulder ahead 
with a terrific movement, even if 
you wish to throw a slow ball. 
Exertion is apparent but it is 
necessary. 



i)L 31 l9l66fa.A.»3r»i:> 






.F5T 



CONTENTS 

CHAPTER 1. 

Pitching. 

Developing the Arm. f 

Accuracy in Throwing. 

Distance for Throwing. 

How to Hold the Ball. 

Pitcher's Swing. 1 

Curves 
How Thrown. * 

Straight Raise or Jump Ball 

Improved Spit Ball. g|, "^ 

In Shoot. * * 

In Straight Drop. 
Straight Drop Curve. 
Straight Out Curve. 
Out Raise Curve. 
Straight Raise Curve. 
A New Curve. 

How to Use Curves or Brainy Pitching. 
When Pitchers Should Rest. 
Caution Against Self Praise. 

Caution Against Pitchers Drinking While Warm. 
Over Confidence Reverses. 
Text Book as an Aid. 

CHAPTER 2. 
Build of Players and How They Should Play Their 

Positions. 
Who Should Catch and How to Catch Behind the Bat 
First Baseman. 
Second Baseman. 

1 



Short Stop. 

Third Baseman and How the Players Should Back 

Up. 
How to use the Great Combination Play. 
CHAPTER 3. 
Batting. 
Kind of Bat. 
How to Strike the Ball. 
Batting to Tire and Rattle the Pitcher. 
Team Batting Practice. 

CHAPTER 4. 
Bunting. 
What It Is. 

How to Hold the Bat and Bunt. 
When to Bunt During Game. 
CHAPTER 5. 
Base Running 
W T hen to Start. 

Double Steal and Trick Double Steal. 
Delayed Steal. 

CHAPTER 6. 
Fielding. 
How to Catch Flies and Play the Outfield. 
CHAPTER 7. 
Training System. 
Developing Muscles. 
When and How to Take a Bath. 
Proper Food While Training. 
What to Eat. 
What not to Eat. 



PREFACE 



The Author of this work is a Physical Director and 
AthleticCoach, has been engaged for twenty-five years as an 
active player, pitcher, first baseman and coach, and has 
writen three baseball instruction books. This wide ex- 
perience should place him in a position to give the plain, 
scientific, practical points about the game. This is not a 
book of rules. It is an instruction book, giving the secrets 
of the game as they have never been given before, explain- 
ing the finer points of the game in a systematic and progres 
sive order. Most baseball books are written on general 
principles that no one but a professional player can un- 
derstand. 

This book is written to instruct the small boys as well 
as amateur and professional baseball players. The main ob- 
ject is to give the secrets of the game, to present good, prac- 
tical points, jnany of which are not found in other base 
ball books, making them so plain that a boy of ten can un- 
derstand them. This makes it so much plainer for an 
amateur or professional player. 



Baseball Instruction Book. 



CHAPTER 1. 

Pitching. 

Tall rangy men generally make the best pitchers, but 
they are liable to overwork. It takes a strong man with 
plenty of endurance to hold his own as a sucessful pitcher 
when he is calied upon to take his regular turn twice a 
week. But if you have the needful qualifications stick to 
it through thick and thin, even though at times you are 
discouraged. By hard and regular training you may suc- 
ceed in two or three years. Frequently promising young 
amateur pitchers, after several successful years work, are 
obliged to resign in favor of some young player who is a 
better pitcher. One reason that makes some young players 
better pitchers than others is that during their youth they 
practiced throwing nearly all the year around, thus keeping 
the muscles of the arm solid and in good shape to start 
pitching in the spring. The older a man gets the less he 
exercises. The same is true with the pitcher who has been 
through a season or two of hard work. As a consequence 
he is not in as good a condition as a young pitcher who 
keeps a well developed arm from constant practice. Too 
much practice is practically impossible in baseball, as in 
billiards, chess ,and other games of skill. The best base 
ball players would rather play than eat. They are and al- 
ways have been gluttons for practice. The necessity of prac- 
tice is well shown by the saying of the venerable Mr. Glad- 
stone, "Excellence in any department of life is obtained 
only by patient and persistent effort/' It is especially true 
in professional pitching. 

Development of the Arm. 

Special care should be taken in the gradual develop- 
ment of the arm, for the arm may be easily injured or the 
shoulder thrown out of place, especially during early spring 
practice. 

4 



Accuracy in Throwing 

The first principle to accomplish is accuracy. Accu- 
racy first and speed next. The two combined mean a stride 
in the right direction, but even if you have all curves and 
speed you will not be successful without headwork, which 
may take several years to acquire. You can get good con- 
trol in a few weeks by careful practice every day throwing 
over any kind of a plate and being extremely careful to 
make every ball go just where you intend it to go. Each 
time you throw the ball, aim at some particular object; the 
catcher's glove, knee, or any other spot. Never throw care- 
lessly. 

Distance to Practice Throwing. 

If you practice pitching only a short distance, say forty 
feet for a month, then go into a regular game, then the bat- 
ter would seem far away, your speed would be less and you 
would have poor control. But practice throwing 5 feet 

more than pitcher's distance for a month and then go into 
a regular game, now the batter will seem close, your control 
will be excellent, and you will be surprised to see how much 
your speed has increased. Practice regularly this distance 
until you can throw an average of eighteen out of twenty 
over the plate. Then and not until then begin the practice 
of curve pitching. 

How to Hold the Ball. 

The first essential of ail pitching lies in the best grasp 
of the hand on the ball. You can use the same or nearly 
the same grasp for all curves or shoots. The cover is com- 
posed of two equal parts; blacken one of these parts and 
name one end A and the other end B, the middle or narrow 
part C. Take the ball in the left hand with A on top and 
C pointing toward you, place the two first fingers of the 
right hand on A half an inch from the end of the blackened 
portion with the first finger on the seam to the left and the 
second finger on the seam to the right; then place the 
thumb and third finger on B half an inch from the other 
end of the blackened part, with the thumb on the seam to 
the left of B, exactly under the first finger, and the third 

5 -^ 



finger on the seam to the right of B directly nuder the sec- 
ond finger, still keeping them all half an inch from the end 
of the blackened part. It is the most natural and reason- 
able way to hold the ball. This firm hold more than any 
other prevents the ball from slipping, even when wet. 

Pitcher's Delivery. 
Always have the gloved hand on the ball between it 
and the batter, so that he cannot detect just what kind of 
a twist is to be given. As the ball is drawn back lift up 
the forward foot, which is already two feet ahead of the 
rubber, and bring it up to the other knee until the ball is 
even with the shoulder; take the foot that is up and the 
free elbow and throw both forward placing the foot about 
three feet six inches ahead of the other, the free elbow 
raises up and forward, and as the ball starts ahead bring 
the free elbow down. The ball is swung down past the 
right knee, and around with the whole arm back as far as 
possible, and then straight up as high as possible, as the 
ball starts forward, spring towards the batter and just as 
you are releasing the ball throw the right leg forward as 
quick and as far as possible not less than four feet, at the 
same time throw the right shoulder ahead rapidly; in fact 
the whole object is to throw the right shoulder ahead with 
a terrific movement, even if you wish to throw a slow ball. 
Exertion is apparent but it is necessary. This is a natural, 
easy, scientific swing because the movement not only hides 
the intended curve but it gives more speed and better con- 
trol, besides it gives you more of a running start and brings 
you a trifile nearer to the batter which is certainly a great 
advantage. In coaching players they usually object to the 
above swing claiming that it is against the rules to take a 
few steps while delivering the bail, but by careful practice 
you can release the ball just before the tip of your 
toe leaves the plate. Like the pitcher's near balk it 
can be worked successfully if it is fully understood and 
faithfully practiced. When you throw the left foot ahead 
count one, then spring ahead with the right foot and count 
that two, then step with the left foot and count that three, 

6 



bring the right foot up even with the left and count that 
four; keep the heels together, spread the toes, bend the 
knees well down and extend the hands down between the 
toes, as if you were after a bunt. You should have releas- 
ed the Lall just as you were springing with the right foot. 
Vou can follow up the ball the same way when you are us- 
ing the short swing when men are on bases. This trick of 
going after a bunt when taking the toe from the plate as 
the ball is released gives you much more speed, than if you 
had to keep from getting a terrific start by being compelled 
to keep one foot on the plate after the delivery, that would 
be like a squirrel trying to keep his feet on a limb after he 
had started his spring. Taking a few extra steps is certain 
ly taking a slight advantage over other pitchers who have 
not learned to do the same. But no just umpire will object 
because you do not raise the toe until the ball is leaving 
the fingers the same as when you are really going after an> 
expected bunt. It will give you a much quicker start if 
you follow up the ball just the same when you are really 
going after a bunt. 

Curves— How Thrown. 

Hold the ball out in your hand; the farthest part of the 
ball from you will be called the guiding point, when you 
throw; if the point goes up fast the ball will curve up, 
called an up shoot or jump ball, or it may be thrown in such 
a way that it will be an up curve. If the point goes down 
fast the ball will curve down. If the point goes to the 
left fast the ball will curve to the left an out curve. If the 
point goes to the right fast the ball will curve to the right 
an in shoot. There are many variations between th points 
called the out drop, out raise, indrop, and the in raise, etc. 
Straight Raise, or Jump Ball. 

Throw overhanded, and as you let the ball go have the 
back of your hand horizontal, let the ball roll under the 
first and second fingers, pull back and twist the hand 
up to make the guiding point twist up faster. This is a 
hard curve to learn but if you can make the point twist 
straight up you can learn it in time. Practice throwing 

7 



the straight raise at some mark as high as your head. 
Have some person hold his glove directly behind the left 
hand corner of the plate about five feet high with his little 
finger pointing over your head, his thumb perpendicular 
and holding the glove so that you can just see a little of 
the palm. He should hold his other hand in the same po- 
sition over the right hand corner. This makes practically 
a double mark for the pitcher, not only the plate but also 
the path over the plate between the catcher's hands, which 
forms a regular pocket for the ball to be thrown into. The 
catcher should not move his hands until the pitcher has 
let go the ball, or it will spoil the mark because pitchers 
aim just as they are letting go of the ball. 

Improved Spit Ball. 
This is thrown just opposite to the common spit ball. In 
place of wetting the fingers wet the thumb. This causes 
the ball slip quicker off the thumb and by sticking to the 
fingers more than the thumb. It makes a very tantalizing 
indrop or incurve and it is especially effective in the 
straight raise or jump ball. 

Inshoot. 
This can be thrown in several ways, by the high over- 
hand swing, by turning the hand to the right the last 
moment and letting it roll out on the inside of the first 
and second fingers, and by twisting the ball to the right. 
It can also be thrown by the high overhand swing and let- 
ting the ball slip out on the right hand side of the second 
finger twisting the ball around to the right. But the com- 
mon way to throw the inshoot is by a long horizontal 
swing to the right, and when you let loose your first finger 
will be directly over your second. Make a backward pull 
and twist fast to the fight. Practice this inshoot as well as 
all other shoots and curves until you are able to throw an 
average of eighteen out of twenty over the plate at certain 
heights that you try to throw them. 

Instraight Drop. 
Learn to throw straight balls directly underhanded 
with accuracy before you try this curve. Throw under- 

8 




% 




STRAIGHT RAISE or JUMP Ball 

Position to throw the straight 
raise jump ball with the high long 
arm swing. The short swing 
straight raise Jump ball is thrown 
the same way, except the hand 
does not go as high. The jump 
ball should be thrown as near as 
possible like the drop ball, the in- 
shoot like the outcurve and have 
no swing for one curve without 
practically the same swing for the 
opposite curve. 



DROP CURVE BALL 

Position to throw the drop 
curve ball with the high long arm 
swing. The short arm swing drop 
ball is thrown the same way, ex- 
cept the hand does not go as high. 





SHORT SWING 
Position to pitch when men are 
on bases. The ball is held well 
behind the shoulder and the body 
leans well back. Holding the ball 
and shoulder so far back saves 
the time of drawing them back 
before you pitch. And time sav- 
ed when men are on bases is very 
important. 



LONG SWING 
Position to pitch when no men 
art on bases. The ball is held 
well in front and the body leans 
well forward. This gives a free, 
long swing, which is a great rest 
from the short arm throw which 
is necessary when men are on 
bases. 



handed, and when you let loose of the ball the back of your 
hand should be horizontal. Let the ball roll out on the in- 
side of the first and second fingers, pull back and twist the 
guiding point down. 

Straight Drop Curve 

Throw overhanded, and when you let loose of the ball 
have the back of your hand perpendicular. Roll the ball 
over the first finger near the end for a fast, quick curve 
and as far from the end as possible for a slow big curve. 

Straight Out Curve 

Take a long horizontal swing. Roll the ball around 
the side of the first finger near the end for a fast quick 
curve and as far from the end as possible for a slow big 
curve. You can curve a ball more in any direction by turn- 
ing well around towards second base and taking the regular 
long pitcher's swing. 

Out Raise Curve 

Throw it like the above straight out curve, only throw 
more underhanded and twist the guiding point up more. 
Straight Raise Curve 

(You should master the in-drop shoot before trying 
this curve.) 

Throw underhanded, use the out curve method. When 
you let loose the back of your hand should be towards your 
forward knee. The back of your fisrt and second fingers 
should be towards the ground. Twist the guiding point 
up very fast or the ball will not raise. 

A New Curve 

Do not try to throw this curve until you have mastered 
the other curves and shoots. This at first curves out with 
a little drop and then takes a quick drop. A young pitcher 
once threw a straight raise shoot. The batter hit it di- 
rectly over the pitcher's head. As it got near he saw that 
it was an out curve, but when it was nearly upon him to his 
great surprise it suddenly took a quick drop. He tried 
many ways to reason it out. Once he experimented with 
an apple with a string running through its centre. He would 
whirl the apple and hold both ends of the string, and study 

9 



how the ball had to turn to make the different kind of 
curves and shots. Once while the apple was turning fast 
he held the string with his right hand up and his left hand 
down. He swung his right hand down and his left hand 
up and the apple kept on turning, but it had been turning 
to the right, now it was turning to the left. He concluded 
that the man who had batted the changed curve had turned 
the axis of the ball part way around like the apple had 
turned around on its axis. Then for several weeks he tried 
to throw an out-curve in such a way that as it was going 
the axis would change ends or nearly change ends. This 
led him to try all kinds of twist of his wrist, arm and 
shoulder. In time he threw an out-curve underhanded, 
but just as the ball was leaving his hand he would try to 
turn his hand to throw a drop curve. The under-hand 
throw had been changed as he released the ball to a side- 
over hand throw. This, if thrown right, will curve out when 
you first start it, but if you have been skillful in the ef- 
fort to change it to a drop just in the nick of time, you will 
be pleased to see that it quite suddenly changes from an 
out drop to a straight quick-drop curve. Any good pitcher 
can throw an underhand out-curve or a straight drop- 
curve. It is a correct combination of the two that makes 
the above successful. You can readily see the advantage 
of being able to throw all curves and shoots under handed 
as well as over handed. Even if you fail when you practice 
this new curve, it will benefit you because you will be able 
to throw much better curves than you could before. Like 
an Indian club swinger after he had drilled for a long time 
on difficult movements found when he went back to the 
simple circles that he could do them much easier and better 
than before he practiced the advanced work. 

How to Use Curves, or Brainy Pitching. 
If you have good outfield and poor infield players keep 
the jump ball high and the batter will be more apt to bat 
flies to the out fielders. If you have poor outfield 'and good 
infield players keep the indrop low and the batters will be 
more apt to bat grounders. Always have some particular 

10 



spot to throw at. You may decide to throw an inshoot 
close to the batter's neck or a dropcurve that will nearly hit 
the plate, or an outdrop that looks as if it would strike the 
batter in the neck, but it curves down and out until it pass- 
es over the plate a good strike. 

A concealed change of pace is sometimes necessary,but 
that does not necessitate you to throw a straight ball waist 
high a good strike which would be a wild pitch. It is poor 
policy to ever throw an inshoot so that it looks like a ball 
and then have it curve over the plate, a good strike, be- 
cause when the batter does strike at such a ball he is almost 
sure to make a hit. It is better to throw an inshoot even 
with the batter's neck, as if it would be a strike, then have 
it curve in close to his neck. Sometimes throw the indrop 
as if it would be a strike, as high as the batter's knee, then 
have it curve in near his ankle. It is not as successful as 
the neckinshoot. It is a very good plan to keep all curves 
and shoots high, but it is better to mix them up, and throw 
them high, low, close or wide. When men are on bases 
never keep the balls low, because the catcher is more apt to 
have a passed bail, besides he cannot throw as well to bases. 
A golden rule: Keep the inraise close and high; and keep 
the outdrop, and straight drop low, also keep the indrop 
low and close, and keep the straight raise high. 

Use curves to batters who take up on their oat, and use 
speed to batters who take hold of the end of their bat. 
Suppose you are trying to find out a bater's weak point. 
There are many good plans. The following may assist you 
to form other plans: Suppose the first ball you throw to 
a right hand batter is a straight inraise one inch above his 
shoulders and one inch inside the plate. If he misses it, 
give him practically the same thing all the time. If he hits 
the first one, whether he makes a foul or not, never give 
him any more speedy high balls. Try him with an outdrop 
that starts for his ear and crosses the plate at his knees; if 
he also hits that he is certainly a hard man to handle. You 
could then try a change of pace and try to have him bat a 
pop fly or strike the bail close to his hands. 

11 



Keep the ball close to the batters, who step in and wide 
to the batters who pull away. If the man would not strike 
at the first high inraise, try him with an outdrop that starts 
for his ear and crosses the plate at his knees. If he misses 
then give him practically the same thing as long as he does 
not hit them safely. Whenever you find that a man can- 
not hit a certain ball, giv*e him that kind all the time until 
he fouls one, then throw him something else, where he can- 
not reach it, then give him the same thing that he could 
not hit. The following experience of a young pitcher shows 
the folly of changing when you have the batter at your 
mercy. There was a man on second and third with a score 
two to one in favor of the pitcher. He had just struck out 
two men and had succeeded in getting the next batter to 
miss by several inches two outdrops that started for his 
shoulder and crossed the outside corner of the plate at his 
kne^e.s,. I^e would certainly have been the third strike out 
if the pitcher had given him another outdrop at about the 
same place, but the pitcher thought he would waste one 
speedy high ball which went over the center fielder's head 
for a long home run, which broke up the game and proves 
that when you are using balls that the batter cannot hit, or 
even foul, it is foolishness to hand him something else that 
he can hit. Most batters have some weak point, and when 
you find it give them practically the same thing all the 
time. 

When Pitchers Should Rest. 

Train very carefully. Never throw over fifteen min- 
utes without a few minutes rest, even if you do not feel 
tired. Train only enough each day to make you stronger 
on the following day, because if you throw too long without 
rest it will weaken instead of making you stronger. If you 
should overstrain; use massage; it is always good for the 
arm especially if it is lame. Too many strong Nostrums 
are used for lame arms which in the long run do more harm 
than good. Alcohol is extra good, or a mild treatment like 
bay rum, hot water, or witch hazel are often beneficial and 
cannot injure the arm. 

S 12 



Too many pitchers use their arm after it is lame. At 
the first indication of soreness rest the arm for the rest of 
that day and do not under any circumstances throw any on 
the following day, or you would weaken your arm even if 
you did not ruin it for life. A young pitcher who was in 
good training pitched a strong game on Saturday, then 
pitched a stronger game on Monday. He had fine control 
and seemed to have more speed than usual, but his elbow 
pained to bend it. He finished the game, and his arm did 
not trouble him at all after the game, but he did not recover 
his speed for over two months, because he pitched hard be- 
fore his arm had fully recovered from the last game. It 
may not hurt you much the first time you overstrain, or 
perhaps not the second time, but a man who continues to 
overstrain is sure to ruin his arm. Always throw slowly 
until you are well warmed up. It is in warming up where 
the pitcher is in real danger of hurting his arm. Even 
after you are thoroughly warmed up it is not always nec- 
cessary to throw with all your might. 

Caution Against Self Praise. 

When you play well do not tell about it. That is con- 
sidered bragging by most people. Your friends will surely 
tell about your fast playing and the least you tell about it 
the better it will be for you. You can praise other players 
but never praise yourself. Always leave that for other 
people. 

Caution Against Pitchers Drinking While Warm. 

It is natural for a pitcher when heated up by the sun 
and the great exertion of pitching to drink large quantities 
of water, but he should never drink ice water. Oatmeal 
water is better. Then only rinse out the mouth, but if you 
must drink water never swallow more than a mouthful be- 
tween innings. Many games are lost because one team. 

it -i.L - 

and especialiv their pitcher, drinks large quantities of cold 
water when they are warm. , 

Over-Confidence Reverses. 
The best pitchers are sure to have an off day. Just 
when he thinks he is a dandy then perhaps some poor play- 

13 



ers, or even boys, will bat him out of the box. When you 
lose a game, whether you are to blame or not, you will be 
blamed by every one Even your friends will think that you 
cannot pitch as well as they thought, which will naturally 
discourage you. If you want to suceeed as a pitcher or any- 
thing else you must be patient and stick to it for many 
years. See al the good games you can and profit by their 
mistakes, as well as by their success. 

Text Books as an Aid. 

Read all the books on baseball that you can, no matter 
who the author is. You may learn a valuable point from a 
poor author or even from a poor player. Give all the in- 
formation that you can, then others will be more apt to give 
you pointers. If you never help others you will never get 
much help. 

CHAPTER 2. 

Build of Players and Covering their Positions. Who Should 

Catch and How to Catch Behind the Bat. 

The catcher should like his position or he will not 
make it a success. Tall, large, rangy men who move quick- 
ly make the best catchers. He has the hardest and most 
dangerous position on the team. He should use every pre- 
caution to make his position less dangerous; see that his 
spikes are clean, that he has a well padded glove; a strong 
well filled breast protector; a strong elastic suspensory belt 
like the bathing men use; a strong mask with a chin guard 
and wear strong shin guards. Most foul tips go over the 
bat; therefore unless the ball is below the knees he should 
hold the glove above instead of even with the bare hand. 
It may seem a little awkward at first, but it will soon come 
natural and he can catch better and save many crippled 
fingers. The catcher should always be cool and keep the 
pitcher from seeing the crowd and hearing the ti u 7iult, be- 
cause the pitcher should be cheered up to keep'his com- 
posure. The star catchers are used in every game possible 
and have a better chance to study batters than the pitcher, 
who could not stand to be used in every game. The catcher 
is practically in control of the whole situation. He faces 

14 



the whole field and can often detect the intentions of his 
opponents. He has signals with his whole team to catch 
runners, break up a hit and run game, etc. He must be 
able to keep the pitcher going at his best. When things 
start to go wrong stop the game for a minute. Get a shoe 
untied or fix your glove or your spikes, anything at all but 
stop the game, then the pitcher and the rest of the team can 
getsettled down to regular business again and play as well 
as if nothing had happened. Many games are saved in this 
way. If the pitcher is not putting enough life into the game 
return the ball to him with extra speed which will often 
wake him up, and put more snap into his playing. It is good 
work under the most trying conditions that shows the qual- 
ity of a first class player. A catcher should keep his knees 
slightly bent, which will enable him to start quicker in any 
direction. The catcher and pitcher should keep in mind 
who the next batters are, because when men are on bases it 
is somtimes better to make a great hitter strike at balls 
that are hard to hit, or take his base on balls, knowing that 
the next batters are not as good hitters. 

The catcher should have a strong arm and get his body 
in front of the ball and not reach to either side unless abso- 
lutely necessary. He should lose no chance to make base 
runners hug their bases. The catcher and all other players 
should throw the ball real quick and hard to the bases, and 
quick and reasonably hard to the pitcher. A foxy catcher 
can often catch a man leading off first base by a quick hard 
throw. The first baseman should not move until the ball is 
close, then he should catch it and touch the man ail in one 
movement. The runner is often so close to the base that 
he does not think of danger until it is too late. A catcher 
should never insist upon a pitcher throwing some particu- 
lar curve. The catcher should give the signal that he 
thinks best, but if the pitcher wants to throw something 
else he should give a silent private signal which should be 
final, because if the pitcher did only as the catcher signalled 
he would have no chance to use his own head work, and if 
he was batted out of the box he would be blamed, when the 

15 



catcher would really be to blame. Many pitchers lose 
games and their positions in this way, but unless a pitcher 
is right on his nerve and using his own head work it is best 
to follow the catcher's signals. 

First Baseman. 
He should be a tall, rangy, left handed man, who moves 
quickly, who can catch high or low balls at any angle, be- 
sides being good in taking pick ups, and like all players he 
should be able to throw quick, swift and accurate. When 
he has a runner on first he should straddle the inside corner 
of the base. When he has no runner on first he should play 
ten feet toward second, and fifteen feet back of the line. 
That will give him a better chance to catch a Texas leaguer 
or short fly that would otherwise be a hit over his head. He 
should practice a great deal on bunt balls with the pitcher 
or second baseman covering first base. 

Second Baseman. 
He should be a short, stout, long armed man who is 
very quick on his feet, and can throw as well under as he 
can over-handed. The best second basemen are courageous 
men who have plenty of nerve. He should play thirty feet 
towards first base, and fifteen feet back of the line; this will 
give him a better chance to catch a Texas leaguer or short 
fly which would otherwise be a hit over his head. He 
should back up the pitcher and be sure to back up the first 
baseman on all balls that are batted or bunted towards first 
base if the first baseman gets the ball. 

Short Stop. 

He should be a little slender, extra quick, wiry man 
who can throw extra quick, swift and acurate both under 
and over-handed from any position at any angle. He should 
play thirty feet towards third base and fifteen back of the 
line. That will give him a good chance to catch short line 
drives, and pop flies over the infield that would otherwise 
be hits over his head. With the infielders playing in these 
positions makes it next to imposible to make a hit between 
the infield and outfield. 

16 



Third Baseman and How the Player Should Back Up. 

His build should be between the second baseman and 
the short stop. He should have the courage of the second 
baseman and the quick wiryness of the shortstop. He 
should play on the line ten feet from third base. He runs 
fast on all grounders. He should be able to throw under 
handed accurately to first base without straightening up. 
He should take everything that comes his way. Cuts in 
ahead of the shortstop on everything that he can get both 
hands on. The short stop backs up third base, and is back 
far enough to let the third baseman cut in ahead of him on 
all grounders that he can get both hands on. If the third 
baseman misses there is still another chance for the short 
stop, because a swift grounder travels so fast that he still 
has time to throw the man out. The left fielder who has 
come in fast backed up by the center fielder should prevent 
the bater from reaching second base. The more men to 
back up plays the more sure you are to win. The catcher 
takes bunts within ten feet of the home plate. Then the 
pitcher who is always in a position to handle bunts should 
be able to successfully handle them and he can do so better 
by constant practice, and if he is fast on his feet and can 
throw under as well as over-handed, taking practically all 
bunts that are slow enough for him to handle, he will be a 
wonderful help. Any bunts or slow hits that are too fast 
for the pitcher to handle, should be easily handled by the 
infielders coming in fast on slow grounders. This plan 
keeps the infielders in their regular positions under nearly 
all circumstances and gives them a much better chance to 
catch texas leaguers or pop flies over their heads which 
would have been hits if they had played in close. Several 
good teams have worked this plan successfully, and when 
the outfielders play in a triflle close it makes it practically 
impossible to place a hit between the infielders and the 
outfielders. The pop flies and texas leaguers which they 
catch more than make up for what they would gain by play- 
ing close besides by playing back they will be in a better po- 
sition to handle line drives and hot grounders besides the 

17 



additional ground that they can cover. A grounder 
between the pitcher and the first baseman; the pitcher tries 
it, if he gets it he throws it to the second baseman who cov- 
ers first. If the pitcher misses it he covers first and the 
first baseman tries to get the ball. ~ If he misses it the sec- 
ond baseman tries it and if he misses there is still time for 
the right infielder who has come in fast to try to get the 
man out at first. The short stop covers second. This 
makes a combination and gives you four chances to get 
your man. If each man leaves the play for some one else, 
sometimes it is not taken by anyone. The pitcher watches 
first base, he also has a signal with the catcher for first 
base. 

With a man on second the pitcher watches the short 
stop without turning much. The short stop who is back of 
his man makes two or three fake moves, then suddenly 
makes a dash for second and because he has the first jump 
he should be able to beat the runner to second bas£, and 
just at the instant that the short stop starts to dash for 
second the pitcher should turn completely around to the left 
and throw under-handed to catch the runner at second 
base. The pitcher also has a signal with the catcher for the 
second baseman, because sometimes the second baseman 
can make two or three fake starts then dash in, and by the 
catcher's signal the pitcher will often catch the man. By 
turning completely around to the left and throwing under- 
handed you get the same result as when the short stop 
covers second base. With a runner on third base and when 
the pitcher catches a ball from the catcher he gives the 
third baseman a signal. The pitcher can look at second or 
first but he does not look at third again. The third base- 
man keeps well away from third base, but when the pitcher 
starts to draw back to pitch and the runner starts in toward 
home the third baseman makes a dash toward third and 
catches the ball on the run and with plenty of practice you 
can often catch a man off from third. You cannot have too 
much practice throwing bases. A left-handed pitcher 
should be able to throw to third base even after he has 

18 



thrown his hand down and back as if to throw to the batter. 
He can swing around to the right, step towards third and if 
he can continue his underhand swing to a swift underhand 
throw to third, the near balk will have worked successful. 
Several good right hand pitchers are catching runners at 
first base with the same underhand swing in the same way. 
While facing the batter swing the hand with the ball down 
and back and even start it ahead the same as when you 
pitch to the batter, but continue the underhand swing to an 
extra shift underhand throw to first base. If this is prac- 
ticed carefully and is fully understood it can be successfully 
carried out in regular games, and no just umpire will object 
to this successful near balk, because they know that you are 
merely taking a long swing to the bases. Bring your foot 
down directly towards the base or home plate as the case 
may be. as you are releasing the ball. It is very necessary 
to practice and practice until you have a successful near 
balk swing to catch runners and to prevent stolen bases. 
One left hand pitcher who had good control, great speed 
and good curves, kept his fast opponents down to only a few 
hits, besides he was a good batter himself, yet he lost his 
games, and was called a hard luck pitcher. As there is al- 
ways a reason for every thing his methods were studied, 
runners at third would take an extra big lead on every pitch 
that he made. He also allowed runners from the other bas- 
es to take extra big leads, in fact he did not pay much at- 
tention to any of the base runners. That accounted for his 
losing so many games, and being called a hard luck pitcher. 
Do not throw often to bases in a regular game, but when you 
do make it count. When you catch a man between bases, 
if practical chase him back towards the base he came from. 
Then if he gets away he is not a base ahead. Dash after him 
as fast as possible, make a continual fake movement so that 
he will not know just when the ball is thrown as soon as 
the other man gets the ball, he sprints after the runner as 
fast as he can. Never hesitate to back up just because 
someone else is backing up, because every extra man who 
backs up a play makes it just that much safer. Back up 

19 



whenever and wherever you get a possible chance; for in- 
stance, if you are playing even in the right field, and if the 
catcher should be backed up in that particular play, and no 
one else backs him up, then it is your place to do so. Let 
the coach talk to the players after the game, and find out 
who should have backed up the play and then see that he 
backs up the play next eime. The people and your manager 
will appreciate your backing up that way and you will feel 
better over it. 

The pitcher should usually back up the first base; the 
catcher the third base,, and wherever he is most needed; for 
instance, if a long throw from over first base or right field 
is to be made to third base, the pitcher, shortstop and left 
fielder should all back up third base. Each about fifteen 
feet behind the other. With three men backing up third 
base there is not much danger of a man scoring on a wild 
throw. The man who is to make the throw, knowing that 
third base is backed up so well, will not hesitate to make a 
quick throw with all his speed, and is more apt to make a 
successful throw. If the pitcher is wild have each man 
take two strikes; this makes the pitcher work harder and 
will often weaken him, or cause him to lose his head. 

It is not how long a man practices, but how fast he can 
play. With a cool and fast thinking brain to govern his 
playing. 

If you always practice a snappy game with snappy 
players^ it w^ill make 3^ou a much faster and better player. 
This is very important in base ball, lawn tennis, foot ball or 
basketball. You must have grit and ginger in every game 
you play, or you will not make any game a success. Past 
practice makes fast players who win their games. 
How to Use the Great Combination Play 

When your opponents have a man on first and third 
no matter how many are out or what the score is, the folow- 
ing is a splendid play and should be daily practiced so that 
you can use it successfully at all times. Your pitcher 
should keep the runners close to their bases, then he should 
throw a swift ball over your catcher's right shoulder 

20 



where the batter is not likely to reach it. The centre 
fielder backs up second base. The catcher makes a quick 
hard throw to second base. The second baseman comes in 
fast between the pitcher and second base. The short stop 
covers second base. If the runner at third makes a dash 
for home, the second baseman catches the ball above his 
head, he has plenty of time to throw the man out at home. 
If the runner at third does not make a dash for home, the 
second baseman steps to one side and lets the ball pass on 
to short stop who has plenty of time to catch the runner at 
second base. In this play the pitcher should be sure that 
the batter cannot hit the ball, because your infield players 
are out of their regular positions. If your opponents try 
this combination play, when you have a runner on first and 
third have your batter wait for four balls, or have your 
runner try to steal second just as if you had no runner on 
third, he should have a good lead then dash for second and 
slide if necessary. The runner on third should make a 
bluff to steal home, and yet be able if the catcher should 
throw quick and hard to third base to get bacK safely. 
As the runner starts to steal second base have the batter if 
possible make a hit through the infield. 

CHAPTER 3. BvlTTING 
Kind of Bat. 
To bat well you should practice constantly. Get a 
light bat with a large handle, the large handle gives a 
better balance, and a better hold, and you can handle a 
light bat better than a heavy one. It is the ability to bat 
the ball where you try, and not the heavy slugging that 
wins the games. A pitcher struck a man out several times 
in practice, who became enraged and split the bat, its whole 
length over a rock, the centre piece of about an inch in 
diameter remained to the handle with this he stepped up to 
the plate and said let them come. The pitcher did his best 
to strike him out, and to the crowd's great surprise he hit 
every ball. Then the pitcher decided to always use a 
light bat that is springy and light enough so that when you 
hit the ball the bat will spring its whole length. Do not 

21 



get it too light. It should be about thirty-four inches long. 
Paint it black. Each game is played with a white ball, and 
if the bat is white you connot tell as well if you should 
raise or lower it a little to make it meet the ball fairly. 
A young man with his new white bat missed a good many 
strikes that came over the plate without much speed. He 
lay awake until daylight trying to account for missing the 
ball so often. He remembered that he had always batted 
the best with the black end bats being partly darkened by 
the black end and also by the trade mark making a con- 
trast between the white ball and the partly darkened bat. 
He darkened his bat with a lead pencil and to his great sat- 
isfaction he did not miss the ball once in half an hour. 
Then he missed it intentionally and could easily tell if he 
had struck under or over the ball. 

After reading about black bats you will say that you 
do not watch the bat; but you do, although unconsciously. 
By careful training you can cultivate the eye to steer the 
bat by keeping the eye on it until the ball meets fairly. 
Sometimes you can hit the ball fairly by raising or lower- 
ing the bat as you see it is necessary when the ball is al- 
most to you. The young man tried the black bat before a 
fine speedy pitcher who fooled him on the first one which 
went over the plate about shoulder high like a cannon ball 
without his striking at it. The next one was a ball. Then 
the pitcher threw another strike like the first one. He 
struck at it with all his might and tried to bat a liner over 
the short stop. He did not take the precaution to watch 
the bat and missed the ball and could not tell whether he 
had struck under or over it. He was now in a bad hole, 
having two strikes and only one ball. The next one was 
the same thing, but this time he watched his bat with ex- 
treme care and again tried to bat a liner over the short stop 
As the ball and bat came near each other he saw that the 
bat would pass about two inches under the ball. He raised 
the bat so hard and quickly that he could feel it strain the 
muscles through his whole body. The bat met the ball 
fairly and sent it over the short stop's head. The runners 

22 



from first and third scored, and the batter reached third 
safely, because he watched his black bat. 

The same young man has not struck out for ten years 
with his black bat. Most players can bat better if they 
take up on the bat about six inches, which makes it much 
easier to place hits, especially when you are facing a speedy 
(pitcher. 

How to Strike the Ball. 
Have a person, a small boy will do, throw a ball about 
an hour for you to bat every day. He should stand about 
•ifty feet from you. That makes you quicker in judging 

he ball and you get used to the pitcher standing close, 

'liich makes it less dangerous for you when you face a reg- 
tr pitcher at the regular distance. Practice makes you 

3tter able to tell where the ball is coming, and you will be 
oetter able and quicker to judge if you practice batting 
with the pitcher a little closer than pitcher's distance. 
Then when you get into a regular game the pitcher will 

aem to be far away, a<nd you will have much more time to 
, ; udge the ball, than you have had during practice. You 
will bat much better than if you had practiced pitcher's 
distance. A light bat is best for curves, and a heavy bat is 
best for speed. Stand with the left toe six inches from the 
middle corner of the plate. Have the right toe even with 
the left heel and a foot nearer the catcher. As the pitch- 
er swings, take a short step with the left foot towards him, 
a little to the right or left according to where the ball 
comes. This regular position a little behind the plate 
makes you a little farther from the pitcher; that gives you 
a better chance to hit the ball. It has been proven that 
putting the pitcher back helps the batter very much. It 
gives the batter just that much more time to gauge the ball. 
Besides having the plate in front gives you a better chance 
to judge what part of the plate the ball is coming over. 
Standing a little from the plate allows an inshoot to pass be- 
tween you and the plate and be called a ball. If you were 
standing close to the plate and a high inshoot were thrown, 
if you struck at it, you would miss or it would strike the 

23 



bat close to your hands and you would likely get put out. 
If you did not strike a strike would likely be called. By 
stepping in and towards the pitcher you are more apt to be 
successful than if you were too close and had to pull aw? 
When you have your feet as above stated and bring the 1< 
foot back away from the plate to dodge a wild pitch at yo 
head, it will bring the head back all of three feet, but if y '* 
stand with the feet reversed, as some shy foot batters 
and bring the left foot back it will not bring your head ba 
over six inches. This is the reason why so many batt' 
cannot cure themselves of being afraid of being hit w 
the ball. Even in practice try to meet the ball fairly a • 
bat to some particular spot. The best modern batt ie 
merely strike from where the bat is already balanced, j 
off from the shoulder, without first drawing it further br° u 
to get a long swing. Never side step for fear of* being 1 v - 
Lajoie, one of the best batters once said that success 
batsmen are not afraid of being hit, but step fairly to 
plate. Willie Keeler, one of the best place hitters o: 
said "Keep your eye clear and hit them where they ai: 1 
that's all," Ever be temperate and as these words sugg 
keep your eyes clear like Willie's, by keeping regular ho 
and good habits. When you step up to the plate stop < 
think where the widest opening is, then try to bat the 1 
where you have determined, and, like Willie, where no ■ 
can get it in time to put you out. The science of batt g 
is to forward base runners regardless of sacrificing your 
own record. A regular game gives you the best batting 
practice. Some good left hand batters stand as close to the 
pitcher as they are allowed, then hit or bunt the ball before 
it curves, and by being ahead of the plate they are much 
nearer to first base. In batting, like everything else, you 
must keep in condition by constant practice. The famous 
McGraw once said, "I think I will be the best player in the 
world because I will work." He turned out to be one of 
the star players, because he persisted. 

"Excellence in any department of life, says the vener- 
able Mr. Gladstone "is gained only by patient and persis- 

24 



tent effort." 

Never lose your temper; it is fatal to good batting or 
anything else, except getting you into trouble. 

Batting to Tire and Rattle the Pitcher. 

Under ordinary circumstances it is best to have each 
batter do his best to get his base on balls, and give him 
more credit for it than for a base hit, because it counts 
nearly as much and shows that he was willing to take a 
greater risk of striking out. Eesides it is very hard on the 
pitcher's arm and may cause him to lose his composure and 
the game is yours. Yours friends should yell and make a 
racket just as the opposing pitcher draws his hand back, 
because all pitchers take their aim just as the ball starts 
forward, at the last moment and not before. 
Team Batting Practice. 

Have your players take turns batting, fifteen minutes 
each instead of having a player bat grounders. Have your 
pitchers change off every fifteen minutes. Throw all strikes 
shoulder high. Bach batter should bat to third, short, sec- 
ond, first, then bunt eight feet ahead of the plate. Then 
begin at third again. This batting gives the batters con- 
fidence, it helps to prevent the shy foot and trains them to 
place the ball which is very important in regular games. 
During this practice as well as all other batting practice, the 
fielders should back up each other just as if they were in a 
regular game. 

It is just as necessary for your team to make runs by 
good batting and base running as it is to keep the other 
t* am from making scores against you. Have five sheets of 
heavy cloth put up and have a batter in front of each. One 
boy can chase the fouls for the whole five. The batters 
should have the throwers closer than pitcher's distance. 
But regular pitchers should never practice closer than pitch 
ers distance for reasons given in this book. The batters 
should change around every five hits and two bunts. Never 
leave out the bunts. This kind of drill will give much good 
batting practice in one hour. Then put them through fast 
infield and outfield team work. Then it is very necessary 

25 



to have a regular practice game every day at the same hour 
that most of your games will be played. Have it a real 
hard, fast practice game, all doing their very best even the 
pitchers should do their best but only for three innings. 
After six innings which has warmed up your four best 
pitchers, besides warming up the whole team they should 
all immediately take a bath and change their clothes. There 
should be no delay or some may catch cold. 

CHAPTER 4. 
Bunting- — What is It. 

To bunt is to have the ball strike your bat in such a 
way that it will only roll a few feet in front of the home 
plate, or roll slowly down along the first or third base line. 
How to Hold the Bat and Bunt. 

There is nothing that will rattle the pitcher and infield 
players so quickly as a few well timed placed bunts. No 
team can hope to win the pennant unless they can bunt well. 
The question is how to drop, a few feet in front of the plate 
a ball that comes with nearly the deadly speed of a cannon 
ball, besides curving in an unexpected direction. You 
can stop a swift ball with your hand so that it will fall close 
to you, you could bunt with your hand if it did not hurt, by , 
merely holding it out, and when the ball is close pull your 
hand back with the ball; the ball would not rebound, it 
would stop. Use your bat the same way. Hold the bat 
almost on your right shoulder, with your hands well apart. 
When the pitcher draws his hand back, step ahead with the 
left foot directly towards the pitcher. Slide the right 
hand down to within six inches of the end of the bat. Near- 
ly straighten the left arm, and stretch the right arm to- 
wards the pitcher as far as possible. The bat should be 
parallel with an imaginary line between first and third 
bases, and when the ball gets close, if it is a good one 
guide the bat and catch the ball on the bat as you would on 
your hand by drawing it back a few inches with the ball. 
Practice this on a floor ii possible and in a month you 
should be able to stop the ball so that it will not roll more 
than one or two feet. Then you will never have any more 

26 



trouble to bunt as well as the best. 

When to Bunt During the Game. 
As a rule it is best to bunt with a man on first and no 
one out. Give the signal for the runner to steal and the 
batter to bunt about eight feet ahead of the plate on a cer- 
tain ball that you think is going to be a strike. Perhaps 
the next one after the pitcher has wasted a poor one. After 
the bunt, if the ball is thrown to first, the runner from first 
will have plenty of time to slide to third if he got a good 
running start with the pitcher's arm and if the batter 
should happen to beat out his bunt he could easily get to 
second while they are trying to catch the runner at third. 
Play it the same with a runner on first and second, and the 
runner from second will often score, and if the batter 
should beat out his bunt the play often scores one run and 
leaves a runner on second and third. Even if the batter 
could not beat out his bunt, and the runner on second was 
slow and only got to third it would still be a good sacrifice 
and leaves a runner on second and third with only one ou+, 
because a batter who has practiced bunting by drawing his 
bat back with the ball in a room can always make a success- 
ful sacrifice bunt and perhaps a hit, but if your side is much 
behind it is alaways better to hit and run, but even then try 
to place the hit. The squeezeplay with a runner on third or 
three runners on bases with one or no one out works suc- 
cessfully about half the time. When it fails you lose all 
chance of that score. The squeeze play should never be 
used unless the batter is a good hunter, then it works suc- 
cessfully nearly every time, especially after the pitcher has 
wasted a poor ball. With three runners on bases it would 
be wrong to try for a single, you would be too apt to bat in- 
to a double play. Have the batter try for a long low drive 
to the outfield; by the runners holding their bases there is 
only a small risk of a double play. If the ball is caught the 
runner can still score from third. If the first batter fails 
let the next batter try it, If he fails let the next batter try 
for a single which would bring in two runs. 

27 



CHAPTER 5. 

Base Running. 
When to Start. 

There is more science in running bases than most play- 
ers think. Like theone hundred yard dash when you get a 
poor start you cannot make good time. It is important 
start as soon as you hit the ball or have three strikes. Some- 
times it looks as if a runner would surely get put out, when 
by a quick sharp turn, aided perhaps by a wild throw or 
sometimes by the first baseman muffing the ball, or it might 
be thrown to another base, or the infielder might fumble it, 
and you could make your base. When you make a hit past 
the infielders always make a bluff to run to second base, and 
after you have made a good turn and are thirty feet towards 
second, some inexperienced fielders might throw the ball to 
first base short stop or third base, then you could easily 
make second, but if the fielder throws to second go back to 
first. Be sure the pitcher has the bail before you leave it 
again. Even if you are not playing watch the ball all the 
time or it may hit you on the head. If you're not interested 
ed enough to watch the ball keep away from the game. Al- 
ways take a good lead. There is nothing that is mors dis- 
gusting to the spectators or to clever players than to see 
some of their own players failing to take the proper lead 
off from the bases. Experience will tell you how far you 
can get back safely. 

Get about seven feet back of the line and take twelve 
or more feet lead towards second base. Then if the pitcher 
throws to first base you can slide beck, not directly towards 
the base but to the left the length of your arm, uid if you 
h?ve time shoot out your right arm and grasp the base 
firmly, but if you reach the base a little too late let the base- 
man swing around for you and as soon as his hand with the 
ball gets past you, then shoot out your right arm and grasp 
the base firmly. 

When you play the hit and run game or the bunt and 
run game, with a man on first each man should know what 
the other man will try to do. If the man on first wants to 

28 



run on the first or second ball, he or the coach can give the 
signal. If the second ball, then the runner takes an extra 
big lead off from the base. He will not get caught leaning 
the wrong way, because he has his mind made up to get 
back to the base at the least sign of the pitcher that he is 
going to throw the ball and the batter watches who starts 
to cover second base. This often causes the pitcher to 
waste one ball in the hope of catching the runner at second, 
but now as the pitcher is in a hole he will most likely put 
the next one over. This time the runner has not quite so 
much lead, but he is leaning toward second base and at the 
least movement of the pitcher he dashes for second base. 
The batter bunts or bats a fast grounder toward where the 
player stood who started to cover second base. On a bunt 
and run game, when they try to throw the runner out at 
first base, your runner from first can most always get to 
third, and if the batter should beat out his bunt he should 
be able to reach second base while they were trying to get 
the runner at third. If there is no signal given, the runner 
on first goes down fast, part way every time with the pitch- 
er's arm; and the batter hits the first good one. With a 
man on first and second, with only one man out and you try 
for a single you are apt to bat into a double play. Try a 
double steal. The runner on second gives the signal to 
steal on a certain ball, the batter strikes but misses the ball, 
he is in the way with the bat and his body which hinders 
the throw to third very much, without his trying to do so. 
Even with two out this play is often successfully carried 
out. Or try a trick double steal. The runner at second 
stands quietly as though he were a baseman. The runner 
at first starts quickly to steal with the pitcher's swing, but 
stops half way to second. If the plan works, the catcher 
will throw to second as soon as the runner starts for second 
The runner at second can get to third if he starts quickly 
as soon as the catcher throws to second. While they are 
trying to get the man at third, the runner between first and* 
second will have plenty of time to reach second. Have 
your catcher well drilled on this play, so if your opponents 

29 



ever try the trick double steal, have him throw quickly to 
your pitcher who can catch the man off from second, or 
force him off by chasing the runner down from first. When 
you do make up your mind to steal a base have a good lead, 
then as soon as the pitcher starts to draw his arm back you 
must not wait for his arm to get back, make a dash for sec- 
ond and slide head first unless the baseman blocks your 
path in a brutal manner. In that case slide spikes first, do 
not slide directly towards the base but to the right the 
length of your arm, strike the ground in such a way that 
you slide several feet without getting hurt. Grasp the base 
with your left hand and let your body swing around. When 
you lead off from second base you should run down with the 
pitcher's arm about thirty-two feet and still be able to get 
back if the catcher throws to the pitcher, but if the catcher 
throws to second you can easily get to third. 

Delayed steal. Take a big lead off from first base, then 
run down a little farther with the pitcher's arm, then turn 
back towards first base as if you were going to walk back, 
then as the catcher throws to first you will have plenty of 
time to steal second base if you start quickly with the catch- 
er's arm. A runner on third should always hold his base 
on a long fly, unless two men are out. If the fly is missed 
he has plenty of time to score. Even if the fly is caught he 
is almost certain to score by making a dash for the plate 
as soon as the ball reaches the fielder's fingers. Never be a 
selfish player always do what you can to make your team 
win. Always be ready for any emergency and always will- 
ing to sacrifice individual glory for the team's success. 

CHAPTER 6. 

Outfielders. 

How to Catch Flies and Play the Outfield. 

The outfielders should be fast runners and heavy left 
hand hitters but right hand throwers. When a fly is too 
long to catch a runner at the plate, you can sometimes get 
him by a delayed catch. Get set for the fly with the right 
foot three feet ahead, both hands fully extended reaching 
forward and up, then when the ball is close to your fingers 

30 



bring the right foot back three feet behind the left and 
catch the ball close to your right ankle. The runner will 
have started for the plate when the ball was close to your 
Hands in your first set position. By your throwing quickly 
to third you can usually get him before he can return to 
third. But in the ninth inning with the tied score, it would 
be better to drop a long fly than to take the chance of get- 
ting the runner at the plate or trying the delayed catch. 
But if it is a long fair fly unless t wohands are out, the delay 
ed catch is your only hope, but if he waits until you catch 
the fly, then throw to second base. Many first-class fielders 
make their start as soon or a little before the ball is hit. 
The player who waits for the ball to get well started before 
he moves will never make a good base ball player. Make a 
quick move the way you think the ball will go if he does hit 
it. You can usually tell by the position of the ball and bat, 
when they get near each other, which way the ball will most 
likely go. When you dash for a fly keep your arms down 
and get under it as soon as possible. Then if you have 
time, have your left foot one step forward, your knees 
slightly bent, and your weight on the balls of your feet. 
Stand so the ball would just pass over your right shoulder, 
and then you are in the best position to throw. Catch hold 
of the ball without wasting any time to see which way the 
seams are, as near as possible the way you would for a 
straight raise, reaching up as far as possible and throw over 
handed the same as for the straight raise-jump ball, which 
will make the ball carry up better and keep it from curving 
and from bounding sideways. In a long throw sacrifice a 
little time to get the proper swing and speed. In a short 
throw sacrifice swing and speed for quickness. 

Outfielders should tnrow the ball in as soon as they 
get it so that the base runners cannot take advantage of 
their slowness. Right fielders should practice coming in 
fast on grounders to throw the runner out on first base. 
Quick starting means so much to successful outfielders. 
Nearly every wide-awake player on the team changes his po- 
sition for every player who comes to the plate. Every 

31 



player should feel that the next ball is likely to be hit to 
him then he will be ready. 

Bat flies to the outfielders. Have them number off 
and stand close enough so that you can bat flies over their 
heads so that they will have to turn and run to catch the 
bail. Have number one hold up his glove so that you will 
know who is to take the fly. Have him come in fast on 
grounders he can depend on the other outfielders to back 
him up. Give them plenty of practice in getting grounders. 

When a fly goes over a fielder's head lie should turn 
quickly and dash in the direction of the fly. When a field- 
er dashes for a fly the nearest fielder should run with him 
and say "there you are," he turns instantly before he takes 
another step and catches the ball. If he had been running 
to one side, the other fellow would have called "to the 
right," "to the left" as the case might be. With plenty of 
this kind of practice it is wonderful what long runs and 
fine catches can be made. In practice never let one catch 
a fly that was intended for another. Bat the balls in such 
a way that the fielders will not know what to expect next, 
mix them up; a short pop fly, an extra high fly, a line drive 
and some long flies that they will have to turn and make a 
quick, long run to catch them. 

CHAPTER 7. 
Training System. . . Developing Muscles. 

Indian club swinging is much help to the base ball 
player. They should be used at night and in the morning. 
They expand the chest and keep the joints of the arm and 
chest well oiled. After using the clubs you can almost feel 
the shoulder muscles grow in strength and agility, and they 
help to produce a restful slumber. Rest from eight to nine 
tours. Take a long morning walk, but do not take a bath 
after it. If you are perspiring freely merely take a rub 
down witha coarse towel, and then put on dry clothes. Af- 
ter the noon meal sit or lie down for thirty minutes. It is 
wonderful how much thirty minutes rest just after the full 
noon meal will rest the body, and build up the system. 

Then take a walk until nearly the hour when your 

32 



games usually begin, then put on your suit carefully. Al- 
ways wear a wide all-elastic band suspensory like the bath- 
ing men wear and see that it is on right. Have your spikes 
clean. The men who look after these little things are the 
men who succeed in base ball, or in anything else. Take a 
slow run of half a mile before you begin your base ball prac- 
tiec. Never stop exercising from that minute until after 
you have taken your bath, and ended with a rub down. 
Practice fast and put your whole heart into the work for 
two hours. By this time you should be very tired, but the 
instant that practice is over take another half mile run and 
end with a short sprint. You should then be perspiring 
freely. Hasten to take your bath, because it would be very 
dangerous to wait a minute for any cause and run the risK 
of getting chilled. 

When and How to Take a Bath. 

You should be as just stated, very warm ? and in just 
the right condition to take your shower bath. At first reg- 
ulate it a little hotter, then luke warm, pass backward and 
forward under it rubbing yourself all over with your hands 
as fast as possible, then regulate the bath two degrees cold- 
er, then two degrees more colder, etc., until you feel quite 
chilly, not real cold. This should not take you over three 
minutes from the time you first step under the water until 
you are using the towel. Take a quick rub down with your 
hands for about a minute, this will remove most of the wat- 
er, then take a large rough towel and give the whole body a 
good rub down. Be careful that the hair on your head, un- 
der your arms, etc., is particularly dry. End by rubbing 
and patting the muscles with the hands. Dress as soon as 
possible. This whole process from the time you first enter 
the bath room until you are dressed should not have taken 
over fifteen minutes. After the bath do not get in a per- 
spiration again the same day. 

Proper Food While Training. — What to Eat. 

Eat beef in all forms, toast, mutton, oatmeal, eggs 
plenty of milk, beans, peas, prunes, fruit. Take plenty 
of sleep and if you are slender drink cocoa and use plenty of 

33 



milk. Never worry, it is worry that wears out and kills 
people and not work. Worrying will always reduce your 
weight, besides it makes you nervous. Use plenty of sugar, 
Eat bread and chew it well. Never drink too much milk or 
eat too much of anything just before a game. It will hurt 
the stomach, make you drowsy and will lie on the stomach 
like so much lead. 

Two dogs born and raised together and fed the same 
until six months old. Then given a full meal, one was put 
in a small dark room and the other was tied behind a buggy 
which he followed for two hours. Then both dogs were in- 
stantly killed, the stomach of the one left in the room was 
found empty and in good condition, the other was full and 
congested. The last meal before a hard game, one glass of 
milk and one slice of toast is enough, for any player es- 
pecially the pitcher. 

What Not to Eat. 

The most harmful food is pork in any form, because it 
is hard to digest. Use no pastries, highly seasoned food,veal 
tea, coffee, cigarettes, or alcohol in any form, and never 
drink ice water. It will not only hurt your stomach but it 
may stiffen you just at the time in a game when you most 
need to be active. 



THE END. 



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